3D printer?

Xringer · 08-20-16, 11:37 AM

These things look so cool! I'm dying to buy one!!

MP Select Mini 3D Printer - Monoprice.com

But, what the heck would I want to make with it??
Does it have any application in our Eco area of interest?

stevehull · 08-20-16, 12:15 PM

A friend, who is an architect, uses them to quickly mock up house designs for clients. He uses a low resolution setting and can "build" a house, complete with windows, doors, roof, chimney - all exterior features in about < 6 hours.

Clients love it as they can pick the model up, turn it around and look at lots of perspectives. He feels that it gives them FAR more knowledge about the final look than the 3-D computer programs that show a house on the screen.

Saves him a LOT of time as he doesn't have to move windows when house is 2/3rds built. He can tweak it easily and just have the 3-D printer do another version.

Once approved, he does a high resolution model, which is more than a foot long and will even show the outlines of chimney bricks and such. That one takes over 24 hours.

He keeps a copy of the final model in his office and he must have 50-60 of them on a platform around his ceiling.

But we are not architects . . . .

Steve

Xringer · 08-20-16, 12:34 PM

I was thinking about making hose adapters. Making a piece of plastic tube to connect two different sizes of drain hoses together. Or a center ring for a glass patio table, for the umbrella hole. Or, just making a one-of plastic door hanger-hook or cabinet handle..

All the stuff you end up making by hand with PVC and duct tape..

ecomodded · 08-21-16, 09:43 PM

I have not looked into a 3D printer in a few years , at the time the cheap ones were $350 and were basic compared to that MP select version.

I use the traditional Staunton chess pieces with the castle , king & queen etc. which are plain outdated if not uninspiring.

I don't know how many people play chess today but the populous could use a updated set of modern chess pieces made of today's warfare , tanks , planes and Humvee's , generals etc etc.
And a set of football and soccer team chess pieces.

```````````````
Also it might be time to start coping Chinese parts and selling them for half the price...

jeff5may · 08-21-16, 10:23 PM

That's a steal at $200. Other comparable units come as a kit you have to assemble and/or print out some of its own parts. Then it must be calibrated.

Its big brother is on back order at $350.

Xringer · 08-21-16, 10:37 PM

I would love to get one, but I've just blown a bundle on a 2014 RAV4 AWD,
and I want to replace two Mini-splits with some -20degF systems..
Maybe if I can sell my telescope equipment..?.

Xringer · 08-22-16, 09:30 PM

A buddy sent me this link about 3D printers..
3ders.org - Go on a tour of secretive 3D printing labs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News

I have not looked in any depth yet, but it looks very interesting...

Fordguy64 · 08-23-16, 05:43 AM

I have a cheap printer.. I will be honest with you they are a lot of fun but they also take a lot of tinkering.. If you don't have the patients to research any problem you might have and then spend the time fixing and tuning the printer don't buy one.. Also you get what you oh for as far as filament goes..

Barrowman · 12-11-23, 10:11 AM

Here I go again reading old threads. I've thought about them for a few years and always thought what xringer said but it was our 60th anniversary last February and my wife said "get one it doesn't matter if you only play with it we can afford it.|" As I recall it was around GBP400 - an Ender 3 S1 plus. Prints up to a 12" cube area. It's true you do need to spend some some setting it up and learning how to adjust things when something doesn't print right. Also if you haven't used 3d Cad software you will need to learn about that too. But I would never have imagined the number of times I have made things. All sorts of items. One of the plastic brackets for some window blinds broke so I measured it up and put the new one I made in it's place. That's one of the things about it to me. Where I would otherwise have little option but to buy new blinds now I don't. A mate wanted some gears to replace broken ones on a bin so I made some. Although I have printed stuff for our grandchildren as well mostly it's been make things and saving money on having to buy a whole device.

Xringer · 12-11-23, 01:18 PM

I'm still looking. This one is on sale, just up the road in Cambridge. https://www.microcenter.com/product/...-se-3d-printer
I have no space left in my basement shop area..
Plus, I don't have a modern PC that I could use with a 3d printer.
I've still got a wire-welder that I have to learn how to use!
And, when the Radon is low, I like to get downstairs to use the Ham Radio gear, or re-load some ammo for target shooting.
Which reminds me that some states (maybe Massachusetts) are trying to make 3D printers illegal, because they can be used to make firearm parts. (for gatling-guns I think).
One thing I do not want is the feds rolling up to my house in a tank. My wife and I have bad hearts.
Buying a 3D printer might get me on the no-fly list, and I won't be able to visit relatives in Calgary Canada. Too far to drive, too old..

08-20-16, 11:37 AM	#1
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	3D printer? These things look so cool! I'm dying to buy one!! MP Select Mini 3D Printer - Monoprice.com But, what the heck would I want to make with it?? Does it have any application in our Eco area of interest? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-20-16, 12:15 PM	#2
stevehull Steve Hull Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA Posts: 826 Thanks: 241 Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts	A friend, who is an architect, uses them to quickly mock up house designs for clients. He uses a low resolution setting and can "build" a house, complete with windows, doors, roof, chimney - all exterior features in about < 6 hours. Clients love it as they can pick the model up, turn it around and look at lots of perspectives. He feels that it gives them FAR more knowledge about the final look than the 3-D computer programs that show a house on the screen. Saves him a LOT of time as he doesn't have to move windows when house is 2/3rds built. He can tweak it easily and just have the 3-D printer do another version. Once approved, he does a high resolution model, which is more than a foot long and will even show the outlines of chimney bricks and such. That one takes over 24 hours. He keeps a copy of the final model in his office and he must have 50-60 of them on a platform around his ceiling. But we are not architects . . . . Steve __________________ consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990

08-20-16, 12:34 PM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I was thinking about making hose adapters. Making a piece of plastic tube to connect two different sizes of drain hoses together. Or a center ring for a glass patio table, for the umbrella hole. Or, just making a one-of plastic door hanger-hook or cabinet handle.. All the stuff you end up making by hand with PVC and duct tape.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-21-16, 09:43 PM	#4
ecomodded Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Vancouver Island,Canada. Posts: 1,037 Thanks: 116 Thanked 100 Times in 87 Posts	I have not looked into a 3D printer in a few years , at the time the cheap ones were $350 and were basic compared to that MP select version. I use the traditional Staunton chess pieces with the castle , king & queen etc. which are plain outdated if not uninspiring. I don't know how many people play chess today but the populous could use a updated set of modern chess pieces made of today's warfare , tanks , planes and Humvee's , generals etc etc. And a set of football and soccer team chess pieces. ``````````````` Also it might be time to start coping Chinese parts and selling them for half the price... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-21-16, 10:37 PM	#6
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I would love to get one, but I've just blown a bundle on a 2014 RAV4 AWD, and I want to replace two Mini-splits with some -20degF systems.. Maybe if I can sell my telescope equipment..?. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-21-16, 10:23 PM	#5
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	That's a steal at $200. Other comparable units come as a kit you have to assemble and/or print out some of its own parts. Then it must be calibrated. Its big brother is on back order at $350.

08-22-16, 09:30 PM	#7
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	A buddy sent me this link about 3D printers.. 3ders.org - Go on a tour of secretive 3D printing labs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory \| 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News I have not looked in any depth yet, but it looks very interesting... __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-23-16, 05:43 AM	#8
Fordguy64 Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 338 Thanks: 40 Thanked 35 Times in 31 Posts	I have a cheap printer.. I will be honest with you they are a lot of fun but they also take a lot of tinkering.. If you don't have the patients to research any problem you might have and then spend the time fixing and tuning the printer don't buy one.. Also you get what you oh for as far as filament goes..

12-11-23, 10:11 AM	#9
Barrowman Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: North Lincolnshire, England Posts: 29 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here I go again reading old threads. I've thought about them for a few years and always thought what xringer said but it was our 60th anniversary last February and my wife said "get one it doesn't matter if you only play with it we can afford it.\|" As I recall it was around GBP400 - an Ender 3 S1 plus. Prints up to a 12" cube area. It's true you do need to spend some some setting it up and learning how to adjust things when something doesn't print right. Also if you haven't used 3d Cad software you will need to learn about that too. But I would never have imagined the number of times I have made things. All sorts of items. One of the plastic brackets for some window blinds broke so I measured it up and put the new one I made in it's place. That's one of the things about it to me. Where I would otherwise have little option but to buy new blinds now I don't. A mate wanted some gears to replace broken ones on a bin so I made some. Although I have printed stuff for our grandchildren as well mostly it's been make things and saving money on having to buy a whole device.

12-11-23, 01:18 PM	#10
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	3D for Thee, but not for me.. I'm still looking. This one is on sale, just up the road in Cambridge. https://www.microcenter.com/product/...-se-3d-printer I have no space left in my basement shop area.. Plus, I don't have a modern PC that I could use with a 3d printer. I've still got a wire-welder that I have to learn how to use! And, when the Radon is low, I like to get downstairs to use the Ham Radio gear, or re-load some ammo for target shooting. Which reminds me that some states (maybe Massachusetts) are trying to make 3D printers illegal, because they can be used to make firearm parts. (for gatling-guns I think). One thing I do not want is the feds rolling up to my house in a tank. My wife and I have bad hearts. Buying a 3D printer might get me on the no-fly list, and I won't be able to visit relatives in Calgary Canada. Too far to drive, too old.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..